(BaseballStL) -- The St. Louis Cardinals have played the past two months with their backs against the wall after overcoming a 10.5 game deficit in September and beating the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers to advance to the World Series.

Needless to say, Game 6 is a must-win for the Cardinals with the Texas Rangers needing only one win to secure their first World Series championship.

“We’ll respond today,” manager Tony La Russa said of the must-win Game 6. “We’ll be ready.”

The entire season could have been considered “backs against the wall” for the Cardinals after losing ace pitcher Adam Wainwright for the year early in Spring Training. La Russa admitted, at times, he would have been pleased with only making the playoffs.

“I would have kissed your butt,” La Russa said of being told on Opening Day that the Cardinals would be playing Game 6 of the World Series. “That’s an easy one. We’ve had a lot of fun. We have popped champagne three times and we’re going to try our best to get the fourth one.”

Despite tonight being possibly the last game of the season for the Cardinals, La Russa told his players to enjoy the moment of playing in the World Series.

“The postseason never disappoints,” La Russa said. “I’m enjoying it more than ever.”